As the sentencing of Tommy Sheridan brought Scotland's legal system into sharp focus once again this week, the jury remains out over whether or not Walter Smith's summer gamble has paid off.

Rangers' £4m capture of Nikica Jelavic from Rapid Vienna was an obvious risk for Smith, by the manager's own admission. Jelavic's arrival emptied what remained of the Rangers transfer kitty in one fell swoop and only increased the number of a light squad by one. When the Croatia international suffered a serious injury on account of a wild tackle from Hearts' Ian Black in early October, the wisdom of Smith opting for quality over quantity was brought into question. Kenny Miller's subsequent sale has left Rangers even more short of experienced personnel in attacking areas.

Yet two substitute appearances and a 72-minute run-out against Hibernian on Wednesday – Jelavic also scored at Easter Road – have hinted at the 25-year-old's worth. The powerful forward is expected to start as Rangers make a return to Hampden for tomorrow'sCo-operative Insurance Cup semi-final meeting with Motherwell.

"I had a decision to make in the summer of whether to try and keep our level of player as high as possible or whether to dilute that by bringing in three or four for the same amount of money," Smith recalls. "My decision was to take one player and I have been delighted by what I have seen of him. The only disappointment he's had is the injury situation when he came to us and was just getting started. That was a big blow to us actually. We've got him back now obviously so hopefully we will start to see the best of him but if you were asking if I would still go and do the same decision again, I would."

Jelavic's powerful style renders it a surprise he was not transferred from Austria to England. The seemingly never-ending budgetary constraints at Rangers make it entirely possible the player will cross the border before his contract expires; early evidence, though, suggests it won't be for any less of a fee than Smith paid out.

"There are goals in him, I don't think there is any doubt about that," Smith says. "He has shown that. He could have had a few more goals even in the bits and pieces he's had of games. He's a good player as well, he can help the team, he can link up and bring other people into the game. We just need to get a wee bit of patience to get him back to full fitness again.

"He's a different type of player to Kenny Miller. He obviously has far more of a physical presence than Kenny did. From that point of view, the boys were really just getting to know him when he got injured and you can see in the training now that are all beginning to learn the way he likes to receive and pass. In another two or three games I think we should see him back towards his best."

Stuart McCall will pray Jelavic remains short of optimum performance tomorrow. Motherwell's recently appointed manager was a key part of a Rangers team that claimed nine championships in a row during Smith's first Ibrox term of office. Other members of that all‑conquering Rangers squad drifted away but Smith and McCall have remained on friendly terms.

"Stuart loved playing, he loved training, he loved every aspect of it," Smith says. "He's one of these boys you would think would have a difficulty if he didn't have his football and because of that I always thought he would be a natural one to get into coaching or management.

"There's no doubt that if he can get that enthusiastic aspect of his character into other people, which I am sure he will do, then there's no reason why he shouldn't be looking to have a good managerial career. He was a great lad to be involved with; I just hope his success as a manager doesn't come on Sunday but he's one of those boys that you would be pleased to see being successful if he goes on to be."